Toilet



June 15,1948. E. c. WILLIAMS 2,443,214

l 'TOILET Filed June 29, 1945 Y 4 Sheets--Sheetl l ze ff 1N VEN TOR.

TOILET Filed June 29,1945 4 sheets-sheet 2 l INVENTOR.

@JL Bm June 15, 1948. E C, WILLIAMS 2,443,214

TOILET Filed June 29, 1945 l 4 Sheets-Shea?. 5'

June l5, 1948. E. c. WILLIAMS v 2,443,214'

TOILET Filed June 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 15, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOILET Emory C. Williams, Fort Payne, Ala.

application .time 29, 1945, serial No. 602,268

Claims.

This invention relates to toilets, one of the objects being to provide a toilet hopper so con- -structed that it can be concealed in the wall of a room,where it is made readily accessible by the use of a simple and compact mechanism under the control of a closure in the wall, thereby eliminating the use of floor space which thus is made available for other purposes.

It is another object of the invention to provide ak movably supported hopper which is equipped with all necessary iiushing, draining and ventilating means whereby the structure is rendered no less sanitary than the usual toilet equipment.

A still further object is to provide a structure designed especially for use in partition wall-s between adjoining rooms, access being had thereto through a door opening leading from each room, the mechanism employed being such that when one of the doors is moved to open position, the opposed door locks automatically and the hopper brought into position for use.

Another object is to provide means whereby movement of the hopper into active position and subsequent return thereof to its normal or housed position, will effect automatically thorough ushing of the hopper.

A still further object is to provide a structure wherein both doors leading thereto are free to be opened separately when the hopper is stored in its housing but when one of the doors is moved from its closed position, the other door is automatically locked in closed position so that access to the hopper can be had only from one of the adjoining rooms at the same time.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of` certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a partition equipped with the present improvement, one door being shown by full lines in open position and by broken lines in closed position and the other parts of the structure being similarly illustrated. i

Figure 2 is an elevation of the structure shown in Figure 11, the open door being illustrated .in

section taken substantially on the line 2 2, Fig` ure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1, the hopper being in its open position.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through portions of the closed doors and illustrating, in top plan, the connections between the hopper and the two doors when the doors are in their normal or closed positions.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6 6, Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing the relative positions of the door and hopper connections when one of the doors is unlatehed preparatory to being opened.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8 8, Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a section on line 8 9, Figure 3.

Figure 10 is an elevation of a portion of one side of a partition through which a portion of the indicator is displayed.

Figure 11 is an elevation of a portion of the opposite side ofthe partition showing a portion of the indicator.

Referring to the gures by characters of reference, I designates a portion of a partition separating two rooms of a structureand within this partition, at a proper distance from the floors of the rooms, is a compartment 2 proportioned to receive the apparatus constituting the present invention. This compartment is openat both sides so that access can be had thereto from either room, and each side is normally closed by a hinged door. The two doors have been indicated at 3 and 4 respectively. The hinges 5 of the doors are located at the same end of the compartment.

Slidably mounted in the compartment at the other end thereof is a transverse slide 6 which can be provided with slots 1 for the reception of guide screws 8 or the like. The ends of this slide are pointed as shown at 9 and when the two doors 3 and 4 are closed, as shown in Figure 8, these pointed ends 9 are seated in tapered recesses I0 formed in pins II. One of these pins is slidably mounted in each door 3 and 4 and is held normally pressed toward the slide 6 by spring I2. The movement of each pin I I under the action of its spring is limited by a linger I3 carried by 'the pin and having a terminal lug I4 extended in the direction in which the pin moves under the action of its spring I2. This nger and its lug are adapted to move against disk I5 seated in the door and rotatable with the shank I6 of a door handle I 1 supported outside of the door. The disk l5.ca.rries an ear I8 so located that when the disk I and shank I6 are turned in one direction, after the door has been closed, the ear will move behind a keeper I9 extending from the open side of the compartment'Z, the door being recessed, as at 29 to receive this keeper when the door is closed.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that when the two doors are closed and the handles I1 turned to their proper positions, the ears I8 will be in engagement with the respectiveV keepers i9 so that the doors will remain closed. However', when one of the handles is turned in one direction to swing the ear I8 out of engagement with its keeper, thereby to release the door so that it canI be opened, the door is swung to open position and thus immediately withdraws the pinv I IE in the said door from engagement with theA pointed end 9 of slide 6. Consequently, the spring pressed pin I I in the other or closed door will advance; thereby causing the lug I4? on the advanced pin to enter the recess 20 provided therefor in the adjacent disk l5. Thus the handle of the closed door cannot be turned and said door remains locked. However', when the door which had been opened is moved back to closed position, the pin I'I.- carried' thereby will come against the pointed end of slide 6 so as to thrust the slide against the other pin Il and cause the lug on the finger of the shifted pin to become disengaged from disk l5. Thus both handles are released-for rotation.

A window'opening 2'I can be located in the partition above each of the' doors 3'v and I4 and' af drum 22 can be mounted for rotationv between these openings. This drum is mounted for rotation and has a pin 23 therein which is oif center and is constantlyy engaged by an actuating arm 24' which is extended upwardly from andl moved with the slidel 6. Thus, when the slide is moved. in one directiomthe drum is rotated in. one direction but when the slide is moved in. the opposite direction, the movement of the drum is reversed. Suitable indications can be carried by the drum and displayed through the respective openings, as shown at 25 so that when both doors are closed` that fact willbe indicatedv within the two.v openings 2I. When one of' they doors is open', they indication appearing in the window' opening' at the opposite side of the partition will? bey changed toV show that the toilet is-inV use.` In orderthat'therotation of the drum backandA forth to its different positions may not be interfered? with by the arm 24, an opening 26 is provided' in the drum and the arm 24' is extendedloosely therethrough.

A stationary soil pipe 2'1" isextended upwardly throughthe floor of theieompartment 3 adjacent to one side of the compartment but atrv a point midway between the two doors when closed. Mounted for rotation inthe upperend of this4 soil pipeis the lower` end portion of a pipe section 28 whichl can'v be made integral with the back portion ofa hopper 29 opening thereinto at a pointwhere the contents of thev hopper can ber flushed into the pipe section 28 and the soily pipe 21'. The joint between; pipe section 28% and soil pipeV 211 issuitablybacked, as at 39, so. asltolpr'event leakage of gas or moisture, andthe upper end of the pipe section is 'ared' as shown at 3| so asto provide a tight seat for' a tapered' extension 32 on theebottom of aA valve casing 33; This valve oasing is suitably mounted aboveI the level of" the door openings and isheld securely to the pipe sections 281by a tubular coupling member 34 tted snugly in the upper portion of the pipe section 28 and secured thereto' in any'suitable manner, as byI means of bolts 35. Annuler shoulders 3E are formed on the upper portion of the tubular couplings and engage seats 31 in the tapered extension 32 so that when the coupling is secured in position, the valve easing 33 is held securely assembled with the pipe section 28 vbut said pipe section can rotate relative thereto. v

The valve casing 33 has a water inlet compartment 38 with which communicates a feed pipe 39. An intermediate compartment 40 is connected by a pipe 4I to a tank 42 located thereabove. An outow compartment43 is also provided in the casing 33 and is adapted to open downwardly into the tubular coupling 34. A slide valve 44 is mounted in the compartment 43 and has a V-shaped groove 45 in the bottom thereof into which eX- tends an actuating pin 46 projecting upwardlyY from the coupling 34.

As the hopper 29 swings into and out of the compartment 2 the pipe section 28 and the coupling tube 34 are caused to move therewith and the pin 43v and. the groove 45 aretso positioned that Y when the hopper is located between the closed doors, theA pin 46 is located at the center' or apex of the groove 45 with the result that slide 4:4 is shifted to the left in Figure 3 so as to open communication between compartment` 43 and the interior of the pipe section 28. However,l when the hopper is swung outwardlyl into operative position', the parts are brought to the positions shown in Figure 3V with the result that the slide o1 valve 44 is shifted 'by pin 43 to closek communication between compartment 43' and the pipe section 2U. This position of thepin has been shown both in Figures 3 and 9. Y

A stem 41 is secured to and moves with` the slide valve 44 and isl provided with two valves 4B and 49 respectively. One' valve is so locate-dy as to close communication between the compartiments 40 and 43 when slide valve 44 is in closed position, as in Figure 1, and at the same time valve 49 is in openA posi-tion within compartment 3B. Thus when the hopper is in use, water is free to ow from'A pipe 39 into compartment 313'l and thence into compartmentV 40 through pipe 4i to tank 42,. therebyfilling the tank. When. the hop'- per is swung back inte the space betweenl the closed doors, thereby sliding: the valve 44 away from the position shown in Figure' 3 and' establishing communication betweenE compartment 43 and pipe section 28;. the valve' 48V is open and at the same time valve 49 is moved inte position. to close communication between the'compartments 38 and 40. Thusl the -iiow of water to the tank 42 is cut oi and at the same time the'. wateralready' stored' in' the tank isu released to owfby gravity into compartment 4I) and thence to compartment 43v and downwardly' through the tubular coupling 34 into the. hopper at any'suit ablepoint and thence outwardly from the hopper into the pipe section 28-` to the soilpipe. The outlet from they tank into the hopper 29 hasrbeen indicated at lil)A in Figure. 1.

It is to be understood, of course, that the hopper, which opens. in the usual way into the soil pipe, is to be of such a construction as Yto provide the requisite water seal againsty the escape of gases from the soil pipe into. the hopper,

has not been shown in detail. Extending downwardly from the bottom ofthe hopper 29' at a point remote from its axis of rotation, is a pivot pin 52 on which is mountedf one endf of a link 53'.r which can be held in position on the pin by any suitable means, such as a nut 54. This` link has a flat head 55 at-a free end andl'ying in aplaneat right angles tothe axis of movement of the link. The head 55 consists of roppositely extending ears 56 and :51 and in each earis located a circular opening 58. Thev two ears have arcuate edges 59 concentric with the opening 58 and terminating in shoulders 60. The shoulders are extended inwardly to arcuate edges 6I concentric with the opening 58 and merging into the respective sides of the link 53 as shown, for example, in Figure 1.

When the hopper is housed within compartment 2 as shown by broken lines in Figure 1, the link 53 is extended toward the axis of movement of the hopper with the ears 56 and 51 extended toward the respective doors K3 and 4.

Mounted for up-and down sliding movement on each door is a coupling bracket 62 having slotted portions 63 mounted on guide screws 64 or the like engaging the doors. Each of these coupling brackets is pivotally engaged by one end of a bell' crank 65 fulcrumed at 66 on the inner side of the adjacent door and having its other end pivotally connected, as at 61 to the adjacent handle operated disk l5. Thus when the handle I1 of one of the doors is rotated forv the purpose of disengaging ear I8 from its keeper I9, the bell crank 65 is shifted-to raise the coupling bracket 62 conneced thereto.

Each coupling bracket has an arm 68 which extends inwardly from the door and is normally positioned beneath one of the ears 56 and 51. On each of these arms 68 there is an upstanding pin 69 and when the parts are in their normal positions with the doors closed, these pins are located directly under the respective openings 58 so that when one of the coupling brackets is raised, the pin carried by that bracket will be lifted into the opening and form a pivotal connection between the bracket and the ear.56 or 51 in which the pin is located when raised.

A keeper in the form of an angular stud 10 is extended upwardly from the arm 68 of each bracket and when the hopper is housed between the closed doors, this stud is located beyond the adjacent shoulder 6l) and outwardly from the adjacent arcuate edge Bl. Thus when the coupling bracket is lifted as explained so as to insert its pin 69 into opening 58, the angular stud 10 can move upwardly relative to the engaged ear. Consequently, when the door is swung outwardly and the relative position thereof with respect to the hopper is changed, the upper end portion of the angular stud will move into position past the adjacent shoulder 60 so as to overlie the arcuate edge 59 as shown, for example, in Figure l. Consequently, with the parts thus located, the engaged ear on the link 53 cannot be lifted off of the pin nor can the bracket 62 be lowered away from the ear. Instead, the two parts will be positively coupled until the hopper is returned to its housed position with the door closed.

It has already been explained how the doors can be separately unlocked. This unlocking operation, as has also been explained, will result in raising the coupling bracket 62 carried by the door to be opened so that the pin on said bracket will enter the opening 58 in the ear located thereover. When the door is moved forwardly the link will swing therewith so that the overhanging portion of the stud 10 will ride onto the engaged ear and the continued movement will result in the link 53 pulling the hopper around about its axis of rotation until it is positioned outside of the compartment 2 with the door at one side and wide open. At this time, the other door cannot be opened.

When it 1s desired to return the hopper to its housed position, the foregoing operation is reversed and when the door is completely closed and the handle is turned to fasten it in closed position, the coupling bracket carried by said door will move downwardly, thereby withdrawing its pin 69 from the opening 58 and permitting the angular stud 18 to move downwardly past theshoulder 60. Thus both doors are uncoupled from the hopper but the coupling brackets of both doors are positioned where either one of them can be brought into engagement with one of the` ears for the purpose of coupling the hopper to that particular bracket and the door on whichA if necessary, and as shown at 1l, so as to increase the capacity of the compartment 2 and thus permit the use of a hopper of greater width than otherwise could be employed. i

Any suitable means may be employed for ventilating the hopper while housed in compartment 2 and also while extended from the housing. Inasmuch as the Ventilating means constitutes no part of the present invention, no effort has been made to disclose it.

It is to be understood, of course, that the construction of the lock can be modified, if desired, it merely being essential that means be employed whereby whenboth doors are closed, either one of them can be easily unfastened and opened but when one of them is moved from closed position.

thel other door is automatically locked against movement.

It is to be understood that any suitable means may be provided whereby a portion of the mechanism can be disengaged to permit one of the doors to be opened without actuating the hopper, so that access may be had thereto.

While the ilared portion 2| can constitute a seal or seat, it is to be understood that it is especially useful as a. means for trapping any liquid that might leak past the seats 3631, in which case the parts would not be fitted together tightly at 3l and 32 and moisture draining into the flared end could be carried off through one or more small apertures 34' provided for that purpose.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a structure having a compartment therein, said structure having opposed openings, of a door for each opening, a hopper supported for movement about an upwardly extending axis into and out of position within the compartment and normally concealed by the doors, locks for fastening the respective doors in closed positions, a link pivotally connected to the hopper, slidable elements on the doors operatively connected to and shiftable by the respective locks, pivot devices on said elements positioned for engagement with the link when the respective elements are actuated, each door, when coupled to the link by the pivot device carried by said door, constituting means for shifting the hopper about its axis out of or into the compartment when the door is opened or closed respectively.

2. The combination with a structure having a compartment providedi with" openings at.. opposite sides thereof and af doorfor: closing: each openingmof a hoppermounted for swingingf'move.-v

ment into and out ofthe compartmentf through either opening, a link.r pivotally connected. to fthe hopper, .a coupling bracket. slidably mounted on the door and having'. a, portion normally positioned-:under the link,.fastening means on'each door, means actuated lby the-oper'ation of either fastening means for shifting its couplingibracket` relative to thelink; means on the bracketA for pivotally engaging the link when the bracket' is shiftedthereby to couple the linkto the bracket', forfactuation by the door..y A

3. The combination with.v aA structure having;v

al compartment proVidedWith openings atopposite *sides thereof and" av door for closing:A each'Y opening. of a hopper mountedV for swinging movement into and out of the. compartment through-'either'opening a linkfpivotally connected t'o the hopper, a coupling:` bracket slidably" mounted on the door'v and havingg'a portion normallypositioned. under. the link, fasteningsmeans on..each.door, means actuated bythe operation' of either; fastening meansY forv shifting its cou' pling bracket relative toV the link, means on theA bracket for pivotally engaging thelin'ktwhen thel bracket` is shifted, thereby'to couple' thelink to the'bracketforactuation by'the door, and means onfeachbracket and cooperating with thelinkzfor holding the bracket againstl disengagement'irom the-link when the door.vv is open.

8@ ping .a therespective brackets when the:v doors: aref: closed, cooperating means on the brackets.. arid'; the-links, for 'pivoter-Hy. rcoup-lingl either "bracke'ta tof! the link when. said bracket isf shifted. from@r nor:-t

\ mal position', therebyto-couplev the,-linl'rsirtogtonenI of: the doorsyfor actuation bythe' door.. u

5. The combination with a structureshavingfaa.

compartmentprovidedV with opposedvv openings;` and a door for each opening, of affasteningide'avice` on` each door; a.. coupling-bracket? slidably connected to each door; meansactuated'fby each. fastening devicet fork shiftingthe couplingbrackes et relative to the' door., ai hopper' mountedif.` to: swing into and out of thecompartment: about ana upwardly extending axis,'a link pivota-lly:Y connected to. the hopper; means fon; thei linkainor@ mallyA lapping theI respective'-bracket's, whenethe' doors areclosed, cooperating. means? oniv the; brackets and theA links Afor; pivotallyf` coupling.:v either bracket to the link when said"y bracket. ist shifted. from normal position, thereby torcouplei the links to one'of the-doors foractuationbyfthef door, andi means carriedby each: bracketandi shiftable into'engagement with thelink Whenathell bracket is moved from normal position', for; hold:-v ing'the link in engagement .Withthe bracket when: the door is open.

EMORYC. WILLIAMSE.

EEEEEENCES. CITED The following references are of record Vin ythe' le of this patent: 'f

n UNrrED STATES PATENTS Germany Apr; Zei-,119.025 

